BUSINESS: 532 PRACTICES
MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme) is a global healthcare leader and among the largest pharmaceutical companies worldwide, working with customers in 140 countries and employing 74.000 people.
Read more: www.msd.gr
The innovative volunteering policy of MSD, globally, MSD Gives Back, gives all employees, regardless their business field, the opportunity to provide 40 hours of paid volunteering time each year, in order to help and support an NGO of their preference.
In Greece, we are fully committed to this policy which aligns with the broad vision of our company «Engaging Society to make a difference for better life».
From 2016 until now, each month the MSD Volunteering Team supported by MSD employees, supports one or more institutions, according to the existing needs. For the the period 2018-2021, there is a wide portfolio of volunteering activities related to institutions as ELEPAP, PEKAMEA, The smile of the child, Volos orphanage, “Boroume” and the list goes on. Even under challenging circumstances like the Pandemic, MSD insists on giving back by always following the necessary rules and putting forward the value of health & safety!
NGOs, Local Community, MSD Employees
The voluntary program has been implemented intensively from 2016 until now.
More specifically, some of the volunteering activities which have been taking place from 2018 until today are presented below:
Collection of long life food and baby care supplies for SOS villages, as well as for Orphanage Melissa in Thessaloniki. Also, food supplies for Paidopoli Agios Andreas, are collected in our premises.
Afforestation in the foothills of Ymittos mountain
Creative lab for ELEPAP , PEKAMEA, KEFI and Smile of the child during which people of MSD create Easter and festive gifts, destined to be put up for sale, later on.
Hosting of ELEPAP’s, PEKAMEA’s and KEFI’s bazaar, during which MSD Employees purchased their Easter and festive gifts.
Organizing “Smile of the Child” storage room.
Fund Raising for Smile of the Child and Volos Orphanage needs.
Volunteering blood donation in MSD premises.
Supporting the volunteering activities of “Borume” and “Borume sto chorafi” with active participation of MSD Employeers
“Greece race for the cure” , MSD people run or walk against Breast Cancer
Volunteer Day, 6 December. Each year, this day we respond to the needs of 2-3 institutions across Greece. Some of the activities which took place during 2019, below:
Book packaging for the “unhoused people bookstore”
Food preparation and distribution for “Deipno Agapis” with 200 unhoused people being benefited.
Food, clothing and toys tidying up for the “Smile of the Child” Support Centers in Attica, Thessaloniki, Crete and Patra.
Occupation in the Social Convenience Store of “Child Hug” in Thessaloniki.
Cleaning of the Boarding School Premises- Dourahani Monastery Boarding School
Fundraising for the NGO “Papaflessas” and the financial support of George Lazaridis and his participation in Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Recycling Program-Waste management guidelines for office premises and house as well.
Beach Cleaning in Alimos
MSD employees have offered 14980 hours of voluntary work from 2016 until today (2021).
Our basic audience are the institutions that we collaborate with all these years, the receivers of our services who are usually children, vulnerable population and MSD employees. All institutions with which we have collaborated with have thanked us for the voluntary work of our employees in times of great need. MSD employees feel great happiness and accomplishment, when realizing their contribution to society.
Across Greece
Yes with NGOs/Institutions/Municipality | SOS villages, Orphanage Melissa in Thessaloniki, Paidopoli Agios Andreas, ELEPAP , PEKAMEA, KEFI, Smile of the child, Volos Orphanage, “Borume,“Greece race for the cure” , Social Convenience Store of “Child Hug”, Dourahani Monastery Boarding School, “Papaflessas”,Municipality of Alimos
Yes there is full participation of employees
The greatest benefit for the company is peoples’ emotions , the pride they feel , the pride for themselves and for the company as well. All these are depicted in internal surveys that happen each year. These surveys reveal that employees’ loyalty to the company rises as the duration and frequency of the voluntary work does. As it is clearly proved volunteering can shape collective consciousness, unity and solidarity and is fully aligned with our commitment to improving peoples’ lives.
